State Senate Confirms Levine as Physician General

The Senate unanimously confirmed Levine, a transgender woman, as the new Physician General under Gov. Tom Wolf – the highest position held by a transgender person in the state government’s history.

“I think it’s important to emphasize that I was not nominated to this position by Gov. Wolf or confirmed by the Senate because I am a transgender woman,” Levine told Christian Alexandersen of The Patriot-News. “Gov. Wolf didn’t shy away from nominating me because I am an openly transgender woman and the Senate confirmed me. That is based solely on my professional qualifications.”

Levine graduated from Harvard College and Tulane University School of Medicine before embarking on a career in pediatrics that has taken her to the top.

“We can’t miss the fact that it’s incredibly historic,” Ted Martin, executive director of Equality Pennsylvania told Alexandersen. “A qualified person and a person from the [LGBT] community marrying up in one person is a remarkable step forward.”

The Senate also confirmed Eileen H. McNulty 49-0 to be Secretary of Revenue under Wolf.